He was born a pauper to a pawn on a Christmas Day

[Guaranteed]

When the New York Times said "God is dead."
And the war's begun.
Alvin Tostig has a son today.



What does this song mean to you?

It seems like a rejection of the Puritanical culture to me, instead turning to love as an approach to life...

?

[EstimatedProphet]

1. Yet, every discussion of the song I have ever heard...

talks about how it's about a tightwad that abuses everyone and only loves money.
I don't see it.

[Ready4Change]

9. I can see that.

"Levon wears his war wound like a crown."

Humble veterans often do their best to play down their injuries and actions. Levon, however, is constantly flaunting his.

"He names his child Jesus."

Think about it. Who was Jesus's father? What does that indicate about what Levon thinks of himself?

"Levon. Levon likes his money. Makes a lot they say.
Spends his nights counting in a garage by the motorway."

Works all day. Counts money all night.

"And Jesus wants to go to Venus, leaving Levon far behind.
Take a balloon and go sailing, while Levon, Levon slowly dies."

Sounds like a kid who's ignored or just used by his Dad, so he wants to escape. Let his Dad die, he doesn't care.

Hope I've got the lyrics right, without any "Scuse me while I kiss this guy" moments. :)

[Ready4Change]

2. Means I have no idea who Alvin Tolstig is.

:shrug:

Ok, historic moment. Brace yourselves. I am going to do a WEB search and find out who Alvin Tolstig was. I shall return henceforth with an answer!

Wish me luck. (gulp)

3... 2... 1...

[tyedyeto]

3. Good luck!!

Let us know what you find out.

[Guaranteed]

4. Definitely fill me in when you're through.

:)

[peekaloo]

5. Bernie Taupin made it up.

[Ready4Change]

7. Ding ding!

Through the mists of time, out of the jaws of death, I have return, scathed but intact, to report that Alvin Tostig is... no one.

In the song he is the father of Levon, and thus grandfather of Jesus. However he apparently isn't anyone in the real world.

Dang, and there I was, hoping to uncover some vast mystery. Ah well.

[Guaranteed]

8. Well, we know he was a pawn, right? nt

[peekaloo]

6. I'm shallow. I thought it was about a kid who hated his dad.

[BattyDem]

10. I always thought it was about the differences between a father and son ..

... the differences between generations.

The father, Levon, is interested in appearances and money. ("Levon wears his war wound like a crown. He calls his child Jesus ... and he sends him to the finest school in town" - "Levon likes his money ... spends his days counting in a garage by the motorway.")

The son, Jesus, is a dreamer who enjoys the simpler things in life and resents his father's materialism. ("Jesus blows up balloons all day, sits on the porch swing watching them fly ... he wants to go to Venus, leaving Levon far behind." - "Take a balloon and go sailing, while Levon ... slowly dies.")



I'm a huge Elton John fan so I analyzed these lyrics quite a while ago and that was my interpretation of them. It always stuck with me because, if you think about it, Levon is like a conservative Republican and Jesus is like a liberal Democrat, LOL!

JMHO